Being a single mom is hard work. It is even harder when your salary can’t support your little family sufficiently. Most single mothers have ended up in the situation because of a series of unfortunate events, but we push on because our children deserve it.

I became a single mom when my baby was only eight months old. His father had a tragic accident in the factory he worked in, and I was left to pick up the pieces.

With support from friends and family, I was able to move forward. Our little boy is now six years old and the spitting image of his beloved dad. I hope to raise our son in a way to support my son and honor his father.

The struggles I faced

One of the biggest struggles I have faced since losing my husband is being emotionally available for my son. I was absolutely heartbroken by the loss, and some days it felt like I couldn’t go on.

Almost all you single mothers will know how important it is to have friends and family around when times get tough. While they may not fill the void, they can definitely bring your smile back.

Another struggle I had was making sure there was enough money to put food on the table. Sure, I had attended community college and had a minor diploma, but my husband had been the money earner, and now he wasn’t there anymore.

In this case, friends and family can only help to a certain point. You can’t expect them to bear the financial burden forever. You need to learn to help yourself at some point. So, I applied for financial assistance and sent myself to university.

Textbooks can be an income

Often joked about, one of the largest payments I made each year was for textbooks. We needed this 2500-page volume for psychology, or that 4000-page volume for math. It became expensive and heavy.

Luckily, I was able to find loose-leaf textbooks, which allowed me to take out individual chapters for use when necessary. I was no longer carrying around several large textbooks.

Later on, you can even sell textbooks online as these come with their own ISBN. So, I made sure to buy legitimate versions in order to re-sell them each year. I used this as a small income to cover the books for the next year.

What my degree has done for me

While it has never been an elaborate degree in fields that pay tens of thousands per month, my degree has ensured a stable life for my son and me. When my husband was bringing all the income, I didn’t think a degree was all too important. I was happy and wanted for nothing.

Having a degree has allowed me to bring the best of the world for my son. I earn more than I ever would with my degree, I can work reasonable hours in an environment I enjoy, and I get weekends and holidays to spend watching my boy grow up.

It was a long, hard path to get here, but I am here and I am happy. Being a single mom while studying for a degree is taxing. I spent all day at classes and then came home to my son, who needed my love and attention.

Thankfully, my parents helped me out by taking care of him when I had classes, as well as supporting us while I worked toward a better life for us. My parents knew this degree would change everything, so they didn’t mind too much.